Leeds told to complete stunning Aaron Ramsdale signing – ‘what a statement’
Aaron Ramsdale and Jonathan David are the kind of players Leeds United need to pursue if they’re to make a splash in the Premier League.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Leeds and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson urged Daniel Farke and 49ers Enterprises to aim high in the transfer market.
Leeds may have won 100 points and scored 95 goals on their way to the Championship title this season, but several additions across the pitch will be needed if they’re to buck the trend and stay up next term.
Robinson was relegated with the Whites back in 2004 and has told Football Insider that Leeds’ two clear transfer priorities are to sign a new striker and goalkeeper, and had only one name in mind for the latter.
Leeds have been linked with Liverpool’s Caiomhin Kelleher and Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton, and Robinson urged the Peacocks to pay “whatever it takes” to trigger Ramsdale’s relegation release clause.
Ramsdale seems destined to leave Championship-bound Southampton this summer, and after Jonathan David also confirmed he’ll leave Lille on a free transfer, Leeds could aim to make two statement signings.
Ramsdale and David transfers to ‘get Leeds fans off their seats’
With Leeds’ season concluded long before other Premier League clubs turn their full attentions towards the summer window, Ramsdale is a player they’ve been told to sign before anyone else gets the chance.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, Robinson reiterated his stance that Ramsdale would be a “top-class” addition to Farke’s squad, and urged Leeds to pursue David as a free agent rather than Everton striker Beto.
“They need a number nine and a goalkeeper”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“I’ve said before, they’re linked with Kelleher, Aaron Ramsdale too – they should go and sign Aaron Ramsdale straight away.
“Pay whatever it takes to get him out of Southampton. I think it’ll be a top-class addition for Leeds.
“Somebody like Jonathan David, who’s on a free – that coming into Leeds is a statement signing, and you know you’re bringing in goals.
“If Beto comes in, you go ‘that’s a bit of a risk’ – I didn’t really see that one coming – it’s not one that’s going to get Leeds fans off their seats and excited.
“Looking forward to a Premier League campaign, with a proven goal scorer – for me it’s it’s a non-starter.”
Leeds to waste no time in Ramsdale, David pursuits
Although the race for David’s signature is likely to attract clubs with more financial clout than Leeds can currently muster, Farke and the 49ers will be confident they can bring in a ready-made top-flight striker.
Ramsdale will also be the subject of a multi-club transfer battle, and ex-Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds’ interest in Beto is concrete with the Everton frontman top of their shortlist.
Football Insider also revealed on 16 May that Leeds have hit a snag in their attempts to beat Marseille to Manor Solomon’s signature on a permanent basis, and they’ll be keen to kick-start their bids for David, Beto and Ramsdale as soon as possible.